The National Intelligence Service assessed that Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae is effectively at the stage of being designated as successor.
According to a briefing on the 1st by Yoon Kun-young, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker and the floor leader of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported in a closed full session of the Intelligence Committee that day, "We believe the reason (Kim Ju-ae) is frequently exposed in the media is likely to imprint her as a leader among North Korean residents," and delivered this assessment.
This year, North Korean media showed Kim Ju-ae firing a gun and personally driving a new main battle tank. At the recent 73rd anniversary event of Victory Day, she was also spotted watching a performance with Kim Jong-un.
It is not the first time the intelligence authorities have assessed Kim Ju-ae as a successor. At a closed full session of the Intelligence Committee on Apr. 4, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Lee Jong-seok also said, "It seems reasonable to view (Kim Ju-ae) as the successor," adding, "This is not a judgment based merely on circumstantial signs, but one made on credible intelligence."